As his story grows, Ducks' Fasth deflects credit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Viktor Fasth might be the hottest story in the National Hockey League and he’s eager to share it if you ask.

To get Fasth to talk about his role in a remarkable 8-0 start to his NHL career for the Ducks proves a little more challenging. Team first, team second, team third.

His back story as a late blooming goalie in his native Sweden with just a few years of pro experience at the highest levels make him all the more intriguing. Fasth could soak in the increasing attention but he is quick to deflect it.

“It’s the team effort that counts,” Fasth said. “I’m not going to stand here and just talk about myself. I mean, it’s a team sport. If the guys don’t play good in front of me, I can’t play good. And the other way around. It’s a team game.”

The Ducks moved to 11-2-1 with a 3-2 shootout win over Nashville, their second such victory over the Predators this season. Much as he downplays his work, Fasth played a big role with 32 saves on a night when his teammates were dragging.

His efforts gave the Ducks 10 out of a possible 12 points in a condensed 48-game season where those points are doubly important. The win wrapped up a 5-1 road trip that stands, by winning percentage, as the best in club history.

Fasth might not want the credit but Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau was happy to send it his way.

“It’s a pretty good feeling,” Boudreau said. “There’s no doubt. We were pretty well going on fumes. I know the guys well enough to see where they had no energy today. But they just did enough right things.

“The one person that needed to have energy, had energy and that was the goaltender. And he was tremendous. When you get good goaltending, anything can happen.”

Fasth joined two other goaltenders in NHL history who have won their first eight decisions. Ray Emery won his first eight for Ottawa from 2005-07 while Bob Froese did it for Philadelphia in 1983.

The 30-year-old Swede is also 4-0 in shootouts. What made Fasth flash a smile was discussing the Ducks’ improving penalty-killing unit, which erased another overtime penalty after they were whistled for a bench minor with 27.2 left in regulation.

“Guys are blocking shots,” he said. “It’s unbelievable. They played incredibly good in front of me. I just enjoy it playing behind these guys.”

Boudreau said Jonas Hiller will start “sooner than later” within the next week. The Ducks face Columbus at home on Monday and then don’t play over the following five days.

Hiller might still be the de facto No. 1 goalie but he’s got a lot of ground to make up.

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